‘Choose wisely’

Published: Friday, May 24, 2013 at 7:03 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 24, 2013 at 7:03 a.m.

Virgil Wicks wasn’t amused by Chris Burleson’s ideas on how to treat the Boston bombing suspect. “If we take this man’s rights, we forfeit ours,” says Mr. Wicks. “Since Chris wants to give up the suspect’s rights, the next time he gets a speeding ticket we should just haul him off to Gitmo, waterboard him until he admits his guilt and put him in an elevator with every family that has lost a loved one to a speeding driver, and that would be true justice. We are very eager to give our rights away when it does not affect us, but in the long run, I guess we all are affected. Choose wisely today for we have to live with those things we wish on other people. The citizens of the United States of America are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. They have the right to a lawyer, a speedy trial and a right to a jury.”

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‘LOVE AND PEACE’: Joan Lanning of Hendersonville is convinced good times are just around the corner. “I pray every day for law enforcement officers, the rescue squads, emergency medical technicians and our soldiers, and I pray for President Barack Obama to lead this country. And most of all I pray for us to have love and peace in this world,” she says. “I like to think positive, and we are in a little bit of a mess, but with work and time, we can become better. And I feel we will become better this year. The wars, however, bother me. We need to bring our soldiers home.”

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‘DEAR BUBBA’: Making the Internet rounds is a mom’s letter to her son, Bubba, who must be as confused as ever after reading it. It reads, “Dear Son, I’m writing this slow because I know you can’t read fast. We don’t live where we did when you left home. Your dad read that most accidents happen within 20 miles of your house, so we moved right away. I can’t send you the address because the last family that lived here took the house numbers with them when they moved. They didn’t want to have to change their address. This new place is really nice. It has a washing machine, but I’m not sure about it. I put a load of clothes in and pulled the chain. We haven’t seen them since. The weather isn’t bad here. It only rained twice last week, the first time for four days and the second time for three days. About that coat you wanted me to send to you, your brother, Billy Bob, said it would be too heavy to send in the mail with the buttons on, so we cut them off and put them in the pockets. Billy Bob locked his keys in the car yesterday. It took him two hours to get me and your dad out. Your sister had a baby this morning, but I haven’t found out what it is yet so I don’t know if you are an aunt or uncle. Your Uncle Ray fell into a whiskey vat last week. Some men tried to pull him out, but he fought them off and drowned. We had him cremated. He burned for three days. Three of your friends drove a truck off a bridge. The driver rolled down the window and swam to safety. Your other two friends were in the back. They drowned because they couldn’t get the tailgate down. There isn’t much more news at this time. Nothing much out of the normal has happened. Love, Mom.”

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST: The Annual Garden Jubilee Festival, Historic Hendersonville’s premier lawn and garden show and one of the largest gardening shows in Western North Carolina, will take place Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The festival will showcase more than 200 vendors lining Main Street, and Southern Living garden expert Bill Slack and national lawn and garden representatives will present a series of free lectures throughout the twoday show. Local and regional nurseries will be selling thousands of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs and hardto- find plants. In addition to plants, you’ll find handmade lawn furniture, jewelry, garden tools, yard art, planters, wind chimes, birdhouses, soaps and pottery, plus a variety of food vendors.

<p>Virgil Wicks wasn't amused by Chris Burleson's ideas on how to treat the Boston bombing suspect. “If we take this man's rights, we forfeit ours,” says Mr. Wicks. “Since Chris wants to give up the suspect's rights, the next time he gets a speeding ticket we should just haul him off to Gitmo, waterboard him until he admits his guilt and put him in an elevator with every family that has lost a loved one to a speeding driver, and that would be true justice. We are very eager to give our rights away when it does not affect us, but in the long run, I guess we all are affected. Choose wisely today for we have to live with those things we wish on other people. The citizens of the United States of America are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. They have the right to a lawyer, a speedy trial and a right to a jury.” </p><p>◆ </p><p>'LOVE AND PEACE': Joan Lanning of Hendersonville is convinced good times are just around the corner. “I pray every day for law enforcement officers, the rescue squads, emergency medical technicians and our soldiers, and I pray for President Barack Obama to lead this country. And most of all I pray for us to have love and peace in this world,” she says. “I like to think positive, and we are in a little bit of a mess, but with work and time, we can become better. And I feel we will become better this year. The wars, however, bother me. We need to bring our soldiers home.” </p><p>◆ </p><p>'DEAR BUBBA': Making the Internet rounds is a mom's letter to her son, Bubba, who must be as confused as ever after reading it. It reads, “Dear Son, I'm writing this slow because I know you can't read fast. We don't live where we did when you left home. Your dad read that most accidents happen within 20 miles of your house, so we moved right away. I can't send you the address because the last family that lived here took the house numbers with them when they moved. They didn't want to have to change their address. This new place is really nice. It has a washing machine, but I'm not sure about it. I put a load of clothes in and pulled the chain. We haven't seen them since. The weather isn't bad here. It only rained twice last week, the first time for four days and the second time for three days. About that coat you wanted me to send to you, your brother, Billy Bob, said it would be too heavy to send in the mail with the buttons on, so we cut them off and put them in the pockets. Billy Bob locked his keys in the car yesterday. It took him two hours to get me and your dad out. Your sister had a baby this morning, but I haven't found out what it is yet so I don't know if you are an aunt or uncle. Your Uncle Ray fell into a whiskey vat last week. Some men tried to pull him out, but he fought them off and drowned. We had him cremated. He burned for three days. Three of your friends drove a truck off a bridge. The driver rolled down the window and swam to safety. Your other two friends were in the back. They drowned because they couldn't get the tailgate down. There isn't much more news at this time. Nothing much out of the normal has happened. Love, Mom.” </p><p>◆ </p><p>LAST BUT NOT LEAST: The Annual Garden Jubilee Festival, Historic Hendersonville's premier lawn and garden show and one of the largest gardening shows in Western North Carolina, will take place Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The festival will showcase more than 200 vendors lining Main Street, and Southern Living garden expert Bill Slack and national lawn and garden representatives will present a series of free lectures throughout the twoday show. Local and regional nurseries will be selling thousands of annuals, perennials, vegetables, herbs and hardto- find plants. In addition to plants, you'll find handmade lawn furniture, jewelry, garden tools, yard art, planters, wind chimes, birdhouses, soaps and pottery, plus a variety of food vendors. </p><p>Reach Lou Parris at 828-694-7836 or molehills@blueridgenow.com.</p>